the happiest moment you have ever experienced. The euphoria when
something is sought and finally won, perhaps the birth of a new baby, maybe the joy of
being in love. A multitude of precious and happy times. Well, life is filled with many
happy moments and generally that is what they are...moments in time. For each lifetime is
a series of priceless but broken segments laced with solid and sometimes hard realities.
If life were a continuous nonstop avenue of complete happiness and joy we would never
strive to reach for that golden dream of Gods eternity. We would be very content
then with what we have. But life isnt like that. There is that prod, that something
built inside all of us that keeps on aiming for perfection, even in the face of adversity.
We continually try to fill the empty places we humans all have within.

Now consider an unbroken pattern of supreme joy which
will never end. We are all aware that this is very hard to do when life is fraught with
just trying to maintain some semblance of peace and tranquility, some assurances that all
is well with family and friends, as well as the endless things that just make up living.
In spite of lifes busiest schedules, choose a quiet, reflective time and contemplate
that amazing and absolute exultation, this supreme joy that is promised to us by God.
Sometimes it seems far away in the distance when we take a hard look at the many bridges
we have to cross to get there. We reflect on it but the road leading there seems very long
at times. But as we grow tired and victories become scattered and far between and there is
an abundance of unfulfilled dreams, we begin to think about the wonder of Gods
covenant with us. We yearn for His cup which will be filled to the brim with never ending
rapture with no cloudy segments to blight perfection. No more pain, no more suffering, no
more growing old and no more tears. Just eternal jubilance. And this is what God offers to
us. After our many years of trudging uphill, we are then truly ready to reach the summit
of lifes mountaintop...to finally reach that pinnacle of happiness which comes to
each of us who believe in our Heavenly Father.

I was inspired to write this article after I received
a most beautiful short story a loving and precious cousin-in-law sent to me and which
immediately follows this paragraph. I do not know who wrote it but after some revisions I
am including it here because I want to share it with all of you. It contains such faith
and confidence that it makes ones soul sing with anticipation. I believe it is
powerfully thought provoking and speaks with assurance of the wonderful future which we as
Christians will have someday. A future which we sometimes hold in abeyance in favor of
this imperfect human existence. But if we can get beyond this world, keeping our eyes
fixed on what God promised we can move ahead without fear, without regret, and with great
expectation and excitement, for the best is yet to come.

KEEP THE FORK

There was a
woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to
live. So as she was getting her things "in order", she contacted her pastor and
had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him
which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read,
and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. The woman also requested to be buried with her
favorite Bible. Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.
"There's one more thing," she said excitedly. "What's that?" came the
pastor's reply. "This is very important," the woman continued. "I want to
be buried with a fork in my right hand." The pastor stood looking at the woman, not knowing quite what to say. "That surprises you, doesn't
it?" the woman asked. "Well, to be honest, I am puzzled by the request,"
said the pastor. The woman explained. "In all my years of attending church socials
and potluck dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being
cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork'. It was my favorite
part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or
deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance! So, I just want people to
see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder "What's
with the fork?'. Then I want you to tell them I said: "Keep your fork....the best is
yet to come".

So the next time you reach down for your
fork, let it remind you oh so gently, that the best is yet to come.

I am interested in your
thoughts and/or comments regarding this article. Use the Comments/Mailing List Form
to the left of this page. God Bless.